LA is not a 'war zone' as misinformation and deepfakes spread online
Facts Over Fear: As tensions mount and more protests break out over Trump's dangerous ICE raids, we must remember that we are safer when we stand together.
FACE OUR FEARS: The war on misinformation is here
It can be easy to click the ‘like’ button when something we see fits our world view. Sharing a post that reinforces our feelings when everything is spinning out of control can feel like an act of defiance against failing systems.
“You see? I knew I was right!” can easily become the mantra when our good judgment is replaced by emotions-driven groupthink.
So I ask you, dear reader, take pause. Mis- and disinformation are some of the most dangerous viruses spreading out there. Since the gatekeepers are no more, it will be on each of us to do our due diligence when we are reading the news.
And what is news, anyway? In this post-truth era it is easy to succumb to this notion that news is what you want it to be.
Who is sharing it and what is their end game? Who is funding them and why? When it comes to lightning-fast breaking news like what we have been witnessing since Trump took power in January, drinking from a firehose is not conducive to critical thinking. We can’t absorb all of this news — let alone digest it, analyze it and understand its context.
And when we look at what used to be “trusted” news sources online or on our televisions, it is no wonder tensions are mounting and news tribes are forming.
Take for instance what is happening in Los Angeles. If you are watching national news or reading it online, there’s a good chance you may think that the entirety of Los Angeles is a “war zone” where protesters have been demonstrating since Friday.
Below is an example from the DailyMail, showcasing how dramatic things could appear to be if you were just mindlessly doomscrolling.
Notice the charged language of “lawless hellscape,” “war zone” and “calvary.” Who is it positioning as the villain and who is the hero?
And why are so many false images being circulated online?
According to the LA Times: Is the viral X post of multiple police cars on fire real?
Images of police cars ablaze in Los Angeles ran rampant on X over the weekend and while the video footage is real, it did not happen during the anti-ICE protests.
On Sunday, former actor turned conservative pundit James Woods shared a video of police vehicles on fire to his nearly 5 million followers on X, stating, “If I hear one more leftist shill in mainstream media utter the words ‘peaceful protests,’ I’ll throw up.”
Wood’s post had more than 9 million views and it was reposted by at least 16,000 other X users.
One of the X users who reposted the video was United States Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, with the comment, “This…is…not…peaceful,” referring to the alleged actions by demonstrators in Los Angeles.
Fact check: The video content of both posts have been taken down from X because the images and clips of police cars on fire is from 2020 protests in Los Angeles, not recent anti-ICE demonstrations.
The Trump regime would have you believe that things have escalated to the point of needing the National Guard — and now the Marines to quell the violence.
The AP reported just hours ago:
Marines and additional National Guard troops headed to Los Angeles on Tuesday, sent by President Donald Trump in response to four days of protests over immigration raids despite the strenuous objections of state and local leaders.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, meanwhile, filed an emergency motion in federal court to block the Trump administration from using the Guard and Marines to assist with immigration raids in Los Angeles, saying the motion was in response to an apparent change in orders that had been issued for the Guard.
Trump’s deployment of roughly 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines to the country’s second-largest city came despite a relative calm to the Monday’s and Tuesday’s protests.
Reality Check: “There is no emergency, widespread threat, or out of control violence in Los Angeles,” said Rick Caruso, Los Angeles real estate developer and former president of the L.A. Police Commission, on X.
So what is going on here? Perhaps this is a practice run for this administration. How far can they push on the boundaries of our civil rights?
There are no riots. Footage being utilized to stoke fear on national news outlets and online are from years ago. MAGA and bots are spreading misinformation faster than we can correct it. Our leaders, like Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, just went on social media today to say that the California’s Gov. Gavin Newsom should be TARRED AND FEATHERED.
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Say what? Luckily, Newsom isn’t one to back down from a fight, as seen in his handling of Trump and his regime over the last few days.
But as we enter this new era of media, where unregulated AI and bots reign supreme, I have to ask: What is the point of any of it if this is the crap we are producing?
I realize I sound nihilistic. Please send your thoughts and prayers to my husband who has to listen to a version of this rant at least once a day.
But, as a former social worker, journalism always appealed to me because it was a way to build community and find solutions to the larger systemic issues that plagued us. It was a way to shine a spotlight on people doing exciting and innovative things, keeping records of our local history and of course — call truth to power and stand up to corruption. We can (and should) use these public spaces to hold those in power accountable.
LA is just the most recent example of yellow journalism run amok. And while we are no strangers to propaganda meant to divide us and keep us angry, the speed in which it is disseminating throughout our communities is faster than ever before.
So before you share, please pause. Take a beat to look for the source material by copying it into a search engine and see what pops up. Usually when I do this, a few things happen:
It’s true, so I post it or expand on it with my own added research or context.
It’s somewhat true or a bit misleading so I share it with more context or do not share it at all.
It is almost or completely fabricated / AI-generated. In these cases, I do not share it. If I see someone else share it, I add a comment that this is false or mostly false. Then, I share a link to where I found the correct info.
Snopes and Politifact are two good sources to use.
Share with me below more websites that you like to use to help combat misinformation in the comments below. Together we can prioritize Facts Over Fear. (See what I did there?)
Thank you for being a part of my growing community on Substack. I’m truly thankful to everyone who subscribes (2,384 as of this post!) and to my paid subscribers, a special shout-out to you.
Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other.
In solidarity,
Natalie
When you look at the area where these protests against these ice raids happened of which a quick map quest read would suffice it's not as large as they want others to think either with chaos lions & tigers & bears everywhere also. Most definitely no need for & not a case for calling in the national guard, Marines or declaring Marshal law. (Their chaos driven misguided pathological turn on) My continual question is why were they not called in for their 1/6 capital riot coup attempt then they all sure were out & geared up for their upside down Bible op stunt against a small (again it was a small peaceful protest g d forbid they were allowed to legally & peacefully paint the street which they've now painted over. I'm a huge street art fan & love seeing it in communities, I often even photograph it) group of peaceful protesters who do have a legal right to peacefully assemble. They weren't even smearing feces, damaging property or threatening others or harming other's yet the troops were out & not during the capitol coup attempt. These fear mongering sorts always need their the sky is falling, the sky is falling, the sky is falling attention grabbing. No thanks not my pussy, I value it to much, have higher standards & would never even think of entertaining any of these sorts. My peace, higher energy & intelligence intact.
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